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Would you like some low-budget strategies to help you and your kids have a knock-your-socks-off summer vacation, all summer long, even if all you have are weekend breaks? Wouldn't you be just the tiniest bit intrigued by a magic formula that could make you and your family feel like you have been vacationing all summer?

Here is a unique twist on summer vacations that you are going to love.

First, the key to making the magic formula work is this: you must declare that every day off is a HOLIDAY! Regardless of whether your time off is a long weekend, a short weekend, or a couple of weeks off, make them all count as HOLIDAYS! Just as you would plan an elaborate vacation, now you must plan these mini vacations, too. But plan them with a twist.

1. Let your other commitments slide. Focus most of your energies on your family and your vacation time. So what if the house gets a little dusty and the floors get washed less often? Do a thorough cleaning in September, when the kids are back in school. Concentrate instead on coming up with interesting "vacation" options; options like the ones you'll see listed below.

2. Set up your family vacation game plan. Start with a "Bingo Mission Chart."

Draw a grid on some construction paper. Put in as many squares as you desire. Fill the squares with fun things that can be accomplished over the summer such as: Find and press 5 different red flowers; see 3 parades, pat 2 painted horses, admire 5 classic cars, see a bear, find 10 magical rocks, find the feather of the rare feeble-gracken bird; take headstone rubbings at 2 old graveyards; earn 500 pennies; forage for breakfast, etc.

The list is limited only by your imagination. And you must let the kids put their own spin on these events; they will love using their imaginations to decide what a feeble-gracken (totally fictitious bird) might be.

As each activity is accomplished over the summer, color each square with a hi-lighter pen. Indicate that a major prize for the family will be won once the whole card is filled in. (A major purchase, a major trip, special gifts for each family member choose the best motivators that will work for your family, and that you can afford).

As an added attraction, you might develop a fantastical story around your summer vacation plan, but that's up to you and it isn't necessary for this formula to succeed. But it is fun; feeble-gracken birds fit well into fantasies.

3. Be a tourist in your own city, state or province. Visit your local tourism bureau. Gather

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